Pocket structure



April l, 1941. c. G. PARKS POCKET STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 2v, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 //VENTo/a CHARLES 6. PARK.: v l @y @M fw( MW 4MM ATTORNEY;

April l, 1941. C. G. PARKS POCKETv STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 27, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fla/Ol A /NvENTo/a @MRL/:J G. PAE/s @-0214 fw MM /w TTofzNgY-s A Patented Apr. 1, 1941 iJNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICEv POCKET STRUCTURE Charles G. Parks, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Minneapolis Linen, Supply Company, Minneapolis,

Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application February 27, 1939, Serial No. 258,740

3 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in pocket structures, and more particularly to a novel pocket structure having means embodied therein for facilitating the removal of foreign matter from the interior of the pocket, which may tend to accumulate therein.

Barbers and beauty shop operators smocks, coats, or jackets, are usually provided With one or more pockets adapted to support a comb, scissors, brush, or other instruments used in these professions. For convenience, these pockets are usually always open at the top. When cutting hair, portions of the cut hair may fall into the operators pocket. It may also be carried into the pocket with the comb or brush. The hair thus entering the pocket gradually settles therein and may become lodged in the bottom of the pocket. The inherent nature ofthe cut hairs is to stick to the walls of the pocket, which makes it extremely diicult to remove such hair therefrom by ordinary laundering. To remove the cut hair which may have accumulated in a pocket, it is frequently necessary to turn the pocket inside out, in order that access may be had thereto. This is a laborious task and, as a result, the hairs are not removed from the pockets by lthe laundries, resulting in unsanitary conditions. It is therefore desirable that some means be provided whereby loose hairs accumulating in the bottom of a pocket may readily be removed therefrom.

An object of the present invention therefore, is to provide a pocket structure having means embodied therein, whereby the bottom of the pocket may be conveniently opened to facilitate removing from the pocket, foreign matter, such as hairs and other debris which may accumulate therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pocket, the bottom wall of which is formed by a member which normally is folded into bottomforming position and secured in such position, and which may readily Ibe released and swung to a position to open the bottom of the pocket, whereby free access may be had to the interior of the pocket.

A further object is to provide a simple and inexpensive pocket structure, comprising inner and outer wall members stitched together along their upright side edges to form the body of the pocket, and having a, bottom forming member adapted to be folded into flatwise relation with one of said wall members to close the bottom of the pocket, and whereby said bottom forming member may readily be swung t0 a position to open the 'normal position;

bottom of the pocket to facilitate removal of foreign` matter from. the pocket.

Afurther object of thefinvention resides iny the novel construction of the pocket, wherein the ends or side walls thereof are defined by rows. of stitches whchtaper inwardly in a downward direction, and a bottom forming member being hinged adjacent to the bottoms of said wall members and adapted to overlie the outer wall member to which it is secured by suitable means, thereby to form the bottom of the pocket, the lower portion of said bottom forming member being relatively wider than the width of the bottom of the pocket, so as to prevent articles, such as a scissors or a comb, from dropping through the bottom of the pocket, when the bottom forming member is in bottom-closing position.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel construction and arrangement of the member which forms the bottom of the pocket, and which is normally folded against the outer wall member of the pocket and is adapted to be engaged by a flap provided at the upper endv of the outer wall member, and which flap is adapted to fold over the upper end-portion of the bottomforming member, and is secured thereto; and, inthe construction of a pocket having its bottom open to the interior of the garment and a flap being provided on the interior of the garment adapted to close said opening.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings rand will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention,but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made rwithin the scope of` theclaims which follow. f

In the drawings: y y

Figure 1 is a View showing my improved pocket 'embodied in a garment;

' Figure 2 vis an enlarged detail viewof ra portion of thefgarment showing the pocket in? its Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the bottom forming member releasedv to open the bottom of the pocket; A fj Figure 4 is a view showing the bottom forming lmember swung toa position to open Ythe ,bottom of the pocket; j

Figure 5 is an enlargeddetail sectional view on the line 5*-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a detail sectional View on the line 1-1 of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a detail view showing a pocket of a slightly different construction;

Figure 9 is a view of the pocket shown in Figure 8, looking at it from the interior of the garment;

Figure 10r is a View similar to Figure 9, showing the bottom of the pocket open;

Figure 11 is a detail sectional View on the line II-II of Figure 8; y y

Figure 12 is a detail sectional yview on the line I 2I2 of Figure 10; and

Figure 13 is a detail sectional View on the line I3-I3 of Figure 8.

In the selected embodiment of the invention here shown, there is illustrated in Figure 1, a garment, generally indicated by the numeral 2, which is of well known construction, such as a rbarbers 'smock or coat, andcomprises the usual body portion 3 having sleeves-4 and a neck opening 5.

Smocks, coats, or jackets, of the character garment, by Irows of stitching 9, best shown in Figure 4. By reference to this figure, it will be noted that the piece of fabric 1, which constitutes the outer wall member of the pocket, is unsecured along its lowerv edge, whereby the bottom of the pocket is open, as clearly illustrated at II in Figure 6. It will also be noted that the rows of stitching 9 are arranged in a slight incline to the vertical, whereby they taper inwardly in adownward direction. The reason for Athus tapering the rows'of stitching 9 will subsequently be described.

The bottom of the/pocket is formed by a member I2 stitched to the body of the garment by a horizontally disposed row of stitches I3, located immediately below the bottom edge of the wall member 1 of the pocket. The member I2 is adapted to be folded upwardly against the wall member 1, as shown in'Figure 3, whereby it substantially conceals the section 1. The width of the member I2 is substantially equal to the Width of the upper portion of the wall member 1, whereby the lower portion of the: member I2 projects laterally beyond the lower corners of the wall `member 1, as clearly illustratedin Figures 3 and 4. When the member I2 has been foldediupwardly into bottom forming position against the wall member 1, a flap I4, shown integrally formed with the upper edge of the wall member 1, is folded downwardly over the upper portion of the member I2, and secured to a suitable fastening means, such as a button I5, provided on the member I2. The downwardly folded flap I4, when in the position shown in Figures land 2, provides the upper edge I6 of the pockets, as clearly illustrated in Figure 5.

When the parts 1, I2, and I4 are in the position shown in Figure 5, the outer wall of the pocket Will consist of two plies of material, the members 1 and I2. The inner wall member I1 of the pocket is composed of a portion of the material 8 of the body of the garment, as will readily `be understood by reference to Figure 5.

By thus constructing the pocket, should any foreign matter such as loose hairs, drop into the pocket and become lodged in the lower portion thereof, they may readily be removed by releas- .ing the iiap I4 from the fastening means I5,

whereby the hinged member I2 may be swung downwardly from the position shown in Figures 2 and 5, to the position shown in Figures 4 and -gth'ereby opening'the bottom of the pocket, as shown at II in Figure 6, so that any loose hairs may readily be removed therefrom with a brush or other suitable instrumentality. It will also be noted that when the bottom of the pocket is open, as shown in Figures 6 and 12, water may freely pass Ythrough the pocket, whenthe garment is beinglaundered, and thereby remove hair and other foreign matter which may have accumulated therein.

By inwardly tapering the sides 9 of the wall member'1, as hereinbefore stated, and as clearly shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, when the outer bottom forming member I2 is folded against the member 1 and secured in position by the fastening vmeans I5, as shown in Figure 2, tools such as scissors, comb, and brushes, may be inserted in the pocket, as showniin Figure 2, without danger of dropping through Athe bottom of the pocket. This results because the lower portion of the wall member 1 is narrower in horizontal width than the outer member or .ply I2, as will readily be understood.

When the bottom of the pocket is closed, and the member I2 is secured'in the position shown inFigures .1 and 2, the pocket will appear as an ordinary patch pocket, and the flap I4 will give the upper portionvof the pocket -a Very neat and more 'finished appearance, as will be seen by 4reference to Figures 1 and 2.

In lthe form illustratedin Figures 8 to 13,inelusive, access to the-interior of lthe bottom of the pocket is .provided from the interior of the garment, instead of from the exterior, as shown in Figures 1 to 7. .In vthe form shown in `Figures 8 to 13, a patch or piece of fabric I3 is secured to the material or wall 8'of lthe -garment'by rows ofstitchingIQ. Ahorizontal slitlZI is provided inthe materialor wall ofthe Ygarment adjacent the lower end of the outer Awall member I8 of the pocket. By reference to (Figure '8, it will be noted `that the outer wall `member I8 of the pocket, in addition to`being stitched or secured tothe body of the garment along its upright edges, `assl'i'own at I8, is also 4stitched or secured to thebody 'of the garment across the bottom thereof, by stitching l22.V The `slit-2| is provided in the material of the garment directly Iabove the -searn 22, whereby any=foreign matter accumulatpreferably by'fthe seamf22. 'The-'flap23 is 'shown .located .onthe 'inner side of the garment, Aand is adapted-to be"folded upwardly into flatwise relation to the' pocket lwall member I8, against `the .material .of theigarment disposed -above the slitf2 I ,las sho-wn' in Figure' 9. The flap 23 .is-'then fse'cured in P position *by suitable 'fasteners ory buttons 24, adapted to be received in button holes 25, provided in the flap 23, as best shown in Figures 11 and 13.

In the form shown in Figures 8 to 13, when it is desired to open the bottom of the pocket, the flap 23 is disengaged from the buttons 24 and swung downwardly to the position shown in Figures 10 and 12, whereby .the bottom of the pocket will be open, as indicated by the numeral 26 in Figure 12. To close the bottom of the pocket, the ap 23 is simply swung upwardly and secured in the position shown in Figures 9 and 1l. The flap i8 is concealed from sight, because of y being on the inner side of the garment, whereby the pocket, from outward appearance, will look like an ordinary patch pocket. The type of pocket disclosed in Figures 8 to 13, inclusive, is extremely simple in construction and may readily be opened at the bottom to permit the removal of loose hairs and other foreign matter from the bottom of the pocket, in the manner abovey described.

The novel pocket structure herein disclosed, is particularly well suited for use in the construction of smocks, coats, and jackets, such as used by barbers and beauty shop operators. It may also find valuable use in garments used in chemical and physics laboratories, because it makes it possible to readily remove from the pockets of such garments, valuable chemical or mineral particles of dust which may accidentally drop into the pockets and become lodged therein, while an operator is at work. The construction of the pocket is such that when the bottom of the pocket is closed, it will have the appearance of an ordinary patch type pocket, whereby it is not objectionable in appearance. Should the pocket accumulate loose hairs, such hairs are readily removed from the pocket by laundering, when the Wall member I2 :and flap 23 are released to open the bottom of the pocket, as shown in Figures 6 and 5, respectively, whereby water is permitted to pass freely back and forth through the open pocket. Should some of the hair fail to become dislodged by the action of the water, it may readily be manually removed with a suitable brush or other instrument.

While I have herein shown the invention as applied to patch pockets, it is to be understood that it may be applied to various other types of pockets, where applicable, without departing from the scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that the means l5 and 24, provided for securing the bottom forming member I2 and flap I8 in operative positions, as shown in Figures 2 and 9, respectively, may be varied, as desired, as for example, snap buttons or suitable hooks may be employed in lieu of the button- Eil buttonhole type of fastening means, herein shown.

I claim as my invention:

1. A garment provided with a pocket, said pocket comprising inner and outer wall members secured together at opposite sides to form the body of the pocket, said members having their lower ends disconnected to provide an open bottom for the pocket, and a member secured along one edge below said inner and outer wall members and normally overlying the outer member to close the bottom of the pocket, said bottomclosing member being adapted to be disengaged from said outer Wall member, thereby to open the bottom of the pocket.

2. A garment provided with a pocket, said pocket being :formed by superimposing a piece of fabric on the material forming the body of the garment `and securing said fabric thereto along its uprightside edges only, whereby said piece of fabric will form the outer wall of the pocket, a member having one edge secured to theA body of the garment and normally overlying said outer wall member and closing the bottom of the pocket, said outer wall member having a flap at its upper edge adapted to overlie `the upper portion of the bottom closing member, and means for securing together said flap and bottom-closing member to complete the formation of the pocket, said bottom closing member being adapted to bemoved to a position to open the bottom of the pocket to facilitate the removal of foreign matter from the interior of the pocket.

3. A- garment provided with a pocket formed by superimposing a piece of fabric on the material forming the body of the garment and securing it thereto along its upright side edges only, whereby said piece of fabric will provide the outer wall of the pocket, the upright side edges of said outer wall member tapering inwardly in a vdownward direction, a piece of fabric secured to the bottom of the garment belowr said outer Wall member and adapted to be folded against said outer wall member in flatwise relation thereto, to close the bottom of the pocket, a fiap on said outer wall member adapted to overlie the upper portion of said bottom closing member, vand complemental fastening means on said ap and bottom closing member, respectively, for securing the bottom closing member in operative position,

the lower portion of the bottom closin-g member being relatively Wider than the inside Width of the pocket, whereby it will project beyond the lower corners of the pocket to prevent tools inserted in the pocket from dropping through the lower corners thereof.

CHARLES G. PARKS. 

